For the first time since I started this blog I have begun writing an entry without having a clue on what I'm going to write. I have no inspiring or de-spiring words to write. It appears my muse has forsaken me - at least for the moment.
I know what I should be doing but for reasons I can't even begin to fathom I haven't been doing them. I know I should wake up early to build a relationship with the lover of my soul but instead I watch TV. I know I should be reading His Holy Word & meditate upon it but instead I read magazines & newspapers. Mindlessly, I might add, much like an automoton would.
I always think it's ironic but I find this truth to hold fast: That in times of plenty I tend to forget Jesus but in times of famine His grace seems to be all the more abundant. Unlike the previous time I was away I can literally feel the prayers being lifted up on my behalf. And I know you all are praying for me because of a dream my wife had. I cannot possibly remember all the names she listed but she listed many. If she has not yet told any of you about her dream then, please, ask her & I'm sure she'll tell you.
As for what is going on right now all I can tell you is that I am BORED OUT OF MY MIND! I know what class I'm scheduled to attend but it doesn't start until October ninth. I guess until then I'll do jumping jacks in my room & do my best to keep everyone here entertained. And maybe I'll even get to know my Lord & Saviour better in the process.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Too Funny
This has to be one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time.
The link below will direct you to the Girl Talk blog. Once there click on the link that says:
Sit back, relax, and be prepared to laugh :)
The link below will direct you to the Girl Talk blog. Once there click on the link that says:
how to give your wife a great date night.
Sit back, relax, and be prepared to laugh :)
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Convicted
Indwelling sin is no more evident than in someone who has very little to do. Such is the case with us. Now that most everything we need to accomplish is done here in Norfolk we meet twice a day & then we're all left to our own devices. Boredom can be dangerous - the devil's workshop, so I've heard - & we as servicemembers are no different than anyone else. We've been lucky so far - we've all steered clear of trouble - but it's only a matter of time. If I had faith in nothing else I would still have faith in that.
Speaking of indwelling sin I have again began reading "The Enemy Within" by Kris Lundgaard. I say "again" because I started reading it some time ago but never finished it. So instead of trying to remember where I was I decided to just start over. Only this time I've determined that I'll actually read (& maybe even answer) & meditate on the Scriptures & study questions that accompanies each chapter. I figure that's the best way to get something out of it.
Now, I'm not quite sure if reading this book is one of my better ideas because I'm already being profoundly convicted. The layout of the book is such that reading the first few chapters makes you believe that you are the worst of sinners & if you aren't literally hating your sin to the shedding of your blood then maybe you should begin questioning your salvation. Believe me when I write that although I am not yet to the point of shedding my own blood I am to the point of crying tears of blood. I'm actually anxious to move on because I know there is hope & I'm sure this book won't leave me where I am right now.
As I've been reading "The Enemy Within" & writing this blog entry a few people have asked me what I'm reading & writing. I've kept my answers short & sweet, but one person in particular showed a little more interest than the others. It was then that I knew he is a Christian, for we got into an involved discussion on sin & temptation. And I mean involved. I think he & I will become friends & maybe even accountability partners, which would definitely be an answer to prayer. He just doesn't know it yet.
Speaking of indwelling sin I have again began reading "The Enemy Within" by Kris Lundgaard. I say "again" because I started reading it some time ago but never finished it. So instead of trying to remember where I was I decided to just start over. Only this time I've determined that I'll actually read (& maybe even answer) & meditate on the Scriptures & study questions that accompanies each chapter. I figure that's the best way to get something out of it.
Now, I'm not quite sure if reading this book is one of my better ideas because I'm already being profoundly convicted. The layout of the book is such that reading the first few chapters makes you believe that you are the worst of sinners & if you aren't literally hating your sin to the shedding of your blood then maybe you should begin questioning your salvation. Believe me when I write that although I am not yet to the point of shedding my own blood I am to the point of crying tears of blood. I'm actually anxious to move on because I know there is hope & I'm sure this book won't leave me where I am right now.
As I've been reading "The Enemy Within" & writing this blog entry a few people have asked me what I'm reading & writing. I've kept my answers short & sweet, but one person in particular showed a little more interest than the others. It was then that I knew he is a Christian, for we got into an involved discussion on sin & temptation. And I mean involved. I think he & I will become friends & maybe even accountability partners, which would definitely be an answer to prayer. He just doesn't know it yet.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Good to Go!
"Okay, Petty Officer Eddy, you are good to go," said the helpful NMPS (Navy Mobilization Processing Site) official as she signed my check-out sheet. "Good luck & see you when you come back!"
And with that I was medically cleared by the Navy to ship out. Now all that remains for me to do is to complete some personnel paperwork & forms & then I'm done. Then I will be ready to go through my job-specific training.
Until that day arrives, however, I will have to wait. For at least another two weeks which seems to be a waste of time to me. Regardless, I'm still getting paid the same so I'm not complaining; however, if I were a tax-paying citizen (& I still am) I suppose I would be. By the way, did I thank you all for your support yet?
Now, while I may have heard those magical "good to go" words some of my shipmates have not. Out of an estimated 250 sailors that were mobilized & shipped up here to Norfolk, VA., I would say at least 20 people have been disqualified & sent home for various reasons. Most of them were women &, no, they are not pregnant. But to a person they were disappointed at being sent home. Probably because they feel as if they have let their shipmates down.
Because so many of us were disqualified the rumor mill has already begun to spin its wild tales almost as efficiently as Charlotte spun her webs in "Charlotte's Web". Tales like we're over-manned so the NMPS is tasked to whittle our numbers down by cutting those who have even minor discrepancies. But I don't think that's true. The Navy expects to disqualify as many as 10% of those mobilized, & 20 out of 250 is well within that range.
I regret that I don't have anything more profound than news to report at this time. Hopefully no one will hold that against me. But I do want to say thanks publically to Todd for his encouraging words, & I want all of you to know that I do look at all posts posted on this blog. So, please, feel free to post.
Until next time, God bless you all.
And with that I was medically cleared by the Navy to ship out. Now all that remains for me to do is to complete some personnel paperwork & forms & then I'm done. Then I will be ready to go through my job-specific training.
Until that day arrives, however, I will have to wait. For at least another two weeks which seems to be a waste of time to me. Regardless, I'm still getting paid the same so I'm not complaining; however, if I were a tax-paying citizen (& I still am) I suppose I would be. By the way, did I thank you all for your support yet?
Now, while I may have heard those magical "good to go" words some of my shipmates have not. Out of an estimated 250 sailors that were mobilized & shipped up here to Norfolk, VA., I would say at least 20 people have been disqualified & sent home for various reasons. Most of them were women &, no, they are not pregnant. But to a person they were disappointed at being sent home. Probably because they feel as if they have let their shipmates down.
Because so many of us were disqualified the rumor mill has already begun to spin its wild tales almost as efficiently as Charlotte spun her webs in "Charlotte's Web". Tales like we're over-manned so the NMPS is tasked to whittle our numbers down by cutting those who have even minor discrepancies. But I don't think that's true. The Navy expects to disqualify as many as 10% of those mobilized, & 20 out of 250 is well within that range.
I regret that I don't have anything more profound than news to report at this time. Hopefully no one will hold that against me. But I do want to say thanks publically to Todd for his encouraging words, & I want all of you to know that I do look at all posts posted on this blog. So, please, feel free to post.
Until next time, God bless you all.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Spurgeon
I am reading Morning & Evening by Spurgeon and last night's devotion, September 18, was so good that Craig & I wanted to share
......The soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his master, and so we must follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased possession. We are not true to our profession of being Christians if we question the summons of our Leader and Commander. Submission is our duty; quibbling is our folly........Wherever Jesus may lead us, He goes before us. If we do not know where we go, we know with whom we go. With such a companion, who will dread the dangers of the journey? The assurance of eternal salvation; because He lives, we will live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the paths in which He leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true that they may not be smooth paths-they may be covered with sharp, flinty trials; but they lead to "the city that has foundations, whose designer and maker is God."..........We will find it sweet to go up the bleak side of the hill with Christ; and when rain and snow blow into our faces, His dear love will make us far more blessed than those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world's fire. When Jesus draws us, we will run after Him. No matter where He leads us, we follow the Shepherd.
......The soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his master, and so we must follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased possession. We are not true to our profession of being Christians if we question the summons of our Leader and Commander. Submission is our duty; quibbling is our folly........Wherever Jesus may lead us, He goes before us. If we do not know where we go, we know with whom we go. With such a companion, who will dread the dangers of the journey? The assurance of eternal salvation; because He lives, we will live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the paths in which He leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true that they may not be smooth paths-they may be covered with sharp, flinty trials; but they lead to "the city that has foundations, whose designer and maker is God."..........We will find it sweet to go up the bleak side of the hill with Christ; and when rain and snow blow into our faces, His dear love will make us far more blessed than those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world's fire. When Jesus draws us, we will run after Him. No matter where He leads us, we follow the Shepherd.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Purgatory & Grace
If there is a Purgatory I'm confident I am passing through it, & it is called the Navy Mobilization Processing Site (NMPS). Here we are being indoctrinated & briefed on what it is to be a U.S. sailor once again. Being for the most part a private citizen I almost forgot how much "hurry up & wait" is involved. But even this frustration is a blessing, for now I have more than enough time to draft a blog entry.
For those of you who are curious NMPS is where the Navy processes its reservists back into active duty. We have to fill out volumes of forms & paperwork, & we also endure more medical exams, vaccinations & screenings. It all seems unnecessarily redundant to me (remember, I went through a similar process at Jacksonville) but I cannot help but admit that they have become much more efficient at this since the last time I went through it.
On a more personal note, I believe God is giving me the grace to once more rise above my emotions. When I first arrived here I must confess I was in a funk, feeling sorry for myself, which I'm sure is somehow a fruit of the sin of pride ;). But with the help of John Piper & a song like "Grace Unmeasured" (which I listened to on the iPod) God lifted me up out of my self-inflicted pity.
Already I see a theme emerging in this deployment, & I think it will be grace. Not mine, mind you, but God's. While showing grace to others or being gracious has never been a strength of mine it is definitely not a weakness of God's. And so through my weakness will He be glorified not because of what I am capable of doing on my own (which is limited) but by what he does through me. And maybe - by His grace - I'll return a more gracious man.
For those of you who are curious NMPS is where the Navy processes its reservists back into active duty. We have to fill out volumes of forms & paperwork, & we also endure more medical exams, vaccinations & screenings. It all seems unnecessarily redundant to me (remember, I went through a similar process at Jacksonville) but I cannot help but admit that they have become much more efficient at this since the last time I went through it.
On a more personal note, I believe God is giving me the grace to once more rise above my emotions. When I first arrived here I must confess I was in a funk, feeling sorry for myself, which I'm sure is somehow a fruit of the sin of pride ;). But with the help of John Piper & a song like "Grace Unmeasured" (which I listened to on the iPod) God lifted me up out of my self-inflicted pity.
Already I see a theme emerging in this deployment, & I think it will be grace. Not mine, mind you, but God's. While showing grace to others or being gracious has never been a strength of mine it is definitely not a weakness of God's. And so through my weakness will He be glorified not because of what I am capable of doing on my own (which is limited) but by what he does through me. And maybe - by His grace - I'll return a more gracious man.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Be Right Back
That's what Craig said this morning as I dropped him off at 4:30 this morning at the airport. I gave him his hug goodbye and we held each other a little longer than normal. I told him I loved him and as I drove away I felt like putting the car in reverse so I could tell him more than I did. I could hardly talk because I was so choked up. I cried most of the way home and crawled back in bed and tried to sleep. I did for a little while but I kept waking up thinking about him and that would start the tears again. I knew this would be hard.
We put our service flag up this morning in our window. A sign that a loved one is away serving our country. We'll keep it there until he returns to us and he can take it down. I will also wear my pin everyday, like I did last time he was away, to show my support for him while he is gone. He will be missed but I am excited to see what the Lord will do through this trial. I know that there are going to be hard days ahead but the Lord will sustain us.
Stay tuned for an update from Craig :)
We put our service flag up this morning in our window. A sign that a loved one is away serving our country. We'll keep it there until he returns to us and he can take it down. I will also wear my pin everyday, like I did last time he was away, to show my support for him while he is gone. He will be missed but I am excited to see what the Lord will do through this trial. I know that there are going to be hard days ahead but the Lord will sustain us.
Stay tuned for an update from Craig :)
Saturday, September 15, 2007
First Day
Yesterday was my first official day as an active duty sailor since early 2004. And what a day it was! The night prior sleep eluded me & for whatever reason the Lord saw fit that I come down with a cold. To add to my frustration I spent a good part of my day at the Navy Medical Clinic getting cleared for deployment, something I thought I had already done in August. I guess there are a few people who think they must somehow justify their jobs.
There was a positive side to it all, however. Now that I've been poked & prodded in many different ways (I feel sooooo violated, lol!) & declared medically fit for deployment maybe now I won't have as much to do when I get to Norfolk, VA. Maybe - just maybe - I'll be able to get some down time before training begins. One can always hope, right?
I also want to take this time & publically thank Joe Glick for giving me a call with an encouraging word at a time when I desperately needed it. Thank you, Joe, & I'm sorry I didn't have the time to explore that with you a little more. Also, I want to again thank the church for showing their support.
I would like to now close this entry in true sailor fashion: Fair winds & following seas (at least until next time)!
There was a positive side to it all, however. Now that I've been poked & prodded in many different ways (I feel sooooo violated, lol!) & declared medically fit for deployment maybe now I won't have as much to do when I get to Norfolk, VA. Maybe - just maybe - I'll be able to get some down time before training begins. One can always hope, right?
I also want to take this time & publically thank Joe Glick for giving me a call with an encouraging word at a time when I desperately needed it. Thank you, Joe, & I'm sorry I didn't have the time to explore that with you a little more. Also, I want to again thank the church for showing their support.
I would like to now close this entry in true sailor fashion: Fair winds & following seas (at least until next time)!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Thank you
I just wanted to say thank you for my ipod! I definitely was not expecting this awesome gift and I want you all to know what a blessing it is to me already. Also I wanted to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support for me and my family. We are so blessed to be here and to have all of you to pray and support us. I know that my family will be taken care of in my absence. Thanks again.
Craig
Craig
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